Systems and methods for real time media consumption feedback

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for providing users with a real time or near-real time indications of media channels or programs that are currently receiving the most usage or consumption within a defined population of users are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method receives media usage data for currently airing media while the media is being aired and creates an ordered list of media channels or programs for presentation, based at least in part on the media usage data. The method then presents the ordered list of media channels or programs while the media is being aired. In an embodiment, a system further provides the ability to easily select and tune one of the indicated channels or programs in an interactive interface. In an embodiment, the selected media channels or programs are sold on demand or as part of a service upgrade if they are not included in a user&#39;s current subscription.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of a prior non-provisional U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/077,700, filed Mar. 31, 2011, nowallowed, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention relate to viewing and selecting media. Morespecifically, embodiments of the invention relate to providing userswith a real time or near-real time indication of channels or programsthat are currently receiving the most viewership within a definedpopulation of users and enabling selection and tuning one of theindicated channels or programs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Historically, lists of popular media have typically been provided on aretrospective basis. That is, media popularity is measured for someprior period, such as a day, a week or even a month earlier, and thensubsequently published for review by others. While this is useful forconsumers in planning future media consumption, it falls short inassisting users in quickly identifying and choosing among current, realtime media consumption, such as, for example, which of hundreds ofcurrently airing television programs may be of interest to watch rightnow.

For example, in conventional cable television systems, subscribers andusers have limited interaction with a set top box (STB) to access theservices and channels they subscribe to. Generally, this access isprovided through a run-time environment or user interface (UI). Whileconventional STB UIs display schedule information, they do not have theability to display real time usage data of channels or programscurrently being watched.

Accordingly, what is needed is a system that enables real time ornear-real time feedback of media consumption patterns occurring formedia that is presently available, that enables a user to select mediato view based on popularity of the media.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises a system that gathers real time or near-realtime usage data for media, and then publishes a portion of thatinformation, reflecting the most popular media. The media usageinformation is published while the real time media is still availablefor consumption by a user.

For example, in an embodiment, an agent in a cable television systemperiodically polls all or a sample set of set-top boxes within a definedpopulation or area to obtain information on whether the set-top box iscurrently being used to view a linear broadcast television channel, andif so, which channel. Alternatively, the set-top boxes may periodicallypost said information to said agent. According to an embodiment, thepolling period can be very frequent, measured in minutes or evenseconds, in order to facilitate near-real time feedback to users. Anembodiment of the invention updates media usage data in real time asadditional set top boxes tune into channels and/or select programs.

The agent subsequently aggregates the user data to identify the mostpopular channels and programs. For example, the system may identify the20 channels currently tuned by the largest number of set-top boxes.

The identified most popular channel information is then published tousers via a graphical user interface (GUI). According to an embodiment,the most popular channel information is displayed in a GUI directly viaset-top boxes used to watch television channels. In an embodiment, themost popular channels are presented as a sorted list, in descendingorder of popularity, and the user interface enables a user to selectamong the channels in the list, and click to tune a selected channel.

In an embodiment, the system may use electronic program guide data tofirst correlate channels to the programs currently airing, and thenpublish a list of the most popular programs, rather than a list of themost popular channels.

In an embodiment, the system may additionally aggregate like channelsbefore ranking them. For example, the system may combine the standarddefinition and high definition versions of a channel, for the purpose ofranking popularity of programs. In an embodiment, the system may thenpublish only a single entry for the associated program, and may useinformation about the set-top box, or the user, to tune the mostappropriate version of the program, when selected by the user. Forexample, the system may automatically tune the associated standarddefinition channel if the set-top box is not capable of tuning highdefinition channels, while tuning the associated high definition channelon a set-top box that is capable of tuning such channels.

In an embodiment of the invention, the system may report popularityaggregated across all users or set-top boxes participating in thesystem. In another embodiment, the system may segregate the users intomultiple separate groups, such as by geographic region or by demographicclustering, and separately aggregate and report popularity to usersbased solely on usage within their defined group.

In one embodiment, the system may report popularity aggregated acrossall tiers of services, including for example, basic, extended basic orfamily, and premium tiers of service. However, this approach may tend tobias popularity rankings for the most commonly available content, suchas the over-the-air broadcast stations carried on the basic tier.

Accordingly, in another embodiment, the system may report popularitysegregated by service tier, so that, for example, premium tiersubscribers see the popularity of programs among subscribers to the sameor a similar tier, providing a potentially more “fair” reflection of thepopularity of premium content that is less widely available among thegeneral population of users.

In still another embodiment, the system may weight different channelsdifferently, to adjust for differences in availability of the variouschannels. For example, the viewership of each channel may be normalizedbased on the subscribership to a given channel, so that the popularityrankings reflect the percentage of viewers with access to the channelwho choose to watch it. Such an approach can have the beneficial effectof highlighting to lower tier subscribers interesting and popularcontent that is available as part of a higher tier subscription. Thisbenefits the operator by promoting additional tiers of service, andbenefits the user by helping them to identify and evaluate additionalpurchase options. Other embodiments may use a variety of alternativebases for normalization. For example, an alternative embodiment mightnormalize viewership of each channel to a baseline measure of itsaverage or peak viewership, causing niche channels or programs that areexhibiting a “breakout” behavior to be highlighted.

The system may attain additional promotional benefits by includingfeatured listings. For example, an interface listing “most popular”programs may include featured listings added regardless of theirpopularity, in order to promote programs that have not yet attainedstatus among the most popular programs. Preferably, the systemexplicitly identifies these featured listings as distinct from the mostpopular programs, for example by displaying them in a different color,or by marking them as featured listings. In an alternative embodiment,the featured listings are not distinguished from those generated basedon the aggregated consumption data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

The accompanying drawings are included to provide further understanding,are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, andillustrate embodiments that, together with the description, serve toexplain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an architecture of a video and Internetsystem for collecting and displaying media usage data, according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an architecture of a system for uploadingand displaying media usage data, according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an architecture of a system includingcollection and displaying of media usage data according to anotherembodiment.

FIGS. 4-9 depict a graphical user interface (GUI) for a system thatdisplays the most popular media based upon collected media usage data,according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating steps by which media usage data iscollected and published, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system on whichembodiments can be implemented.

The present embodiments will now be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers mayindicate identical or functionally similar elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Introduction

The following detailed description of the present invention refers tothe accompanying drawings that illustrate exemplary embodimentsconsistent with this invention. While the present invention is describedherein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particularapplications, it should be understood that the invention is not limitedthereto. Those skilled in the art with access to the teachings providedherein will recognize additional modifications, applications, andembodiments within the scope of the invention and additional fields inwhich the invention would be of significant utility. Therefore, thedetailed description is not meant to limit the invention. Rather, thescope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

GLOSSARY

The following definitions are offered for purposes of illustration, notlimitation, in order to assist with understanding the discussion ofvarious embodiments that follows.

As used herein, in an embodiment, the terms “broadcast” and “currentlyairing” means linearly-transmitted/delivered media, regardless of themeans of distribution. Broadcasts and currently airing programs aremedia items that are still available for consumption (i.e., viewing).For example, a broadcast can be a currently airing television program. Abroadcast can also be a currently airing pay per view asset, including,but not limited to live performances, concerts, and sporting events.

As used herein, in an embodiment, the term set top box (STB) refers to adevice deployed at a viewer's household or business (such as asubscriber or customer premise) to provide the viewer with the abilityto control delivery of video programming from a provider. The viewer canissue control commands to the STB, for example, powering on the STB,tuning to a specific channel, and tuning to other specific channels overtime. A customer can also send and receive data to and from theprovider, for example, via an Internet connection. A viewer maysimultaneously, but separately, interact with the Internet and videoprogramming. For example, a viewer can access the Internet in responseto video programming, either separately through a computing device withInternet connectivity, or through a browser-enabled STB.

Embodiments of the present invention also can be applied to variousnavigation devices and platforms used to select and view media and videoprogramming. Such navigation devices can be components of platformsincluding personal computers, mobile telephones, personal digitalassistants (PDAs), tablets (e.g., Apple IPAD™), portable media devices(e.g., IPOD TOUCH™), laptops, Internet Protocol (IP)-based telephonesusing voice over IP (VOIP), digital video recorders (DVRs),remote-storage DVRs, video on-demand (VOD) systems, interactive TVsystems, and other systems capable of receiving and displaying videoand/or utilizing a network connection such as the Internet. In additionto an STB, a navigation device can be used to navigate to media, suchas, but not limited to, video programs. Such navigation devices can alsobe used to tune into programs so that they may be viewed on a displaydevice. A non-limiting example of a navigation device is the Apple TVdevice. References to an STB should therefore be interpreted to includethese and other similar navigation devices and systems involving displayof video and viewer input.

Unless specifically stated differently, in an embodiment, a user isinterchangeably used herein to identify a human user, a subscriber, acustomer, a viewer, a household, a software agent executing on behalf ofa user, or a group of users and/or software agents. Users may be membersof user populations (i.e., groups or sets), wherein the sets are relatedto a specific provider, type or tier of service subscribed to, ageographic area (i.e., users in a certain country, region, postal code,and/or state/province) or demographic grouping (i.e., users of a certainage range, income range, or gender. Besides a human user who is a memberof a set, an STB, software application, or agent may be a member of aset. Accordingly, unless specifically stated, the term “user” as usedherein does not necessarily pertain to a human being. A user may berepresented by a user ID or account number. A user may also berepresented by unique ID of a STB associated with the user. Users canhave login credentials associated with them. Login credentials caninclude, but are not limited to, a user name, a password, and a personalidentification number (PIN).

As used herein, in an embodiment, the term “most popular” refers to themost viewed channels and programs from available channels and programsin a program guide presented within a user's channel lineup schedule fora current timeslot. For example, the most popular programs may be thetop 20 most viewed, based upon tuning information, programs from aprogram guide within the user's geo-coded channel lineup schedule forthe current timeslot. Lists of most popular channels and programs isdetermined by an aggregation of community viewing habits (i.e., channeltuning) in real time or “near real time” as is technically possible. Inan embodiment of the present invention, a system queries a usercommunity STB base and aggregates the community “tuning” habits data todevelop a snapshot of the top 20 most popular programs in real time or“near” real time.

As used herein, in an embodiment, the terms “real time viewing data”,“real time media usage data”, “near-real time media usage data” and“near-real time viewing data” refer to providing aggregated tuning datafor programs, media, and channels while the programs and media are stillavailable for consumption. If the media is video programming,consumption can consist of viewing the programming. For interactivemedia, consumption may include user interactions with the media. Realtime media usage data can be provided as quickly as a matter of secondsafter one or more STBs or navigation devices are used to tune intoprograms, or within several minutes, depending on the remaining durationof a given show. Real time and near-real time media usage data may beused to update snapshots and lists of most popular programs asadditional STBs are tuned into currently available programs.

As used herein, in embodiments, the terms “viewership” and “viewer”broadly refers to individual viewers, individual users of an STB, adevice used to view a program, an STB, and/or households. Thus,viewership information or data can include data related to groups ofusers, STBs, households, or viewing devices.

As used herein, in an embodiment, the term POD refers to a menu or userinterface (UI) element within a graphical user interface (GUI). In anembodiment, a POD is used to receive user selections of programs andchannels. In another embodiment of the invention, PODs display real timemedia and programming consumption feedback, such as, but not limited to,current lists of most-watched channels and programs. According to anembodiment, a UI comprises a plurality of PODs that are targeted basedon one or more factors such as, but not limited to, a subscription level(i.e., service tier), hardware footprint (i.e., a subscriber's STB andother subscriber premise hardware), or a business scenario determined tobe the best fit for targeted sets of subscribers. According to anembodiment, PODs are designed to display content that is normally hiddenwithin hierarchal constructs to the forefront of a UI, thereby allowinga user to “snack on” or sample a specific service before diving into thefull breadth of the associated service content.

System Embodiments

Embodiments of the present invention are described primarily in thecontext of systems for gathering and indicating real time or near-realtime media usage data for real time video programs and channels. Itshould, however, be understood that the invention is not limited tovideo programs and channels. The present invention may be used for anymedia, such as, but not limited to, audio, streaming video, andmultimedia data, as would be recognized by persons of skill in the art.Accordingly, the invention is not limited to video systems and may beused for audio networks such as, but not limited to, terrestrial andsatellite radio, and data networks such as the Internet. For example,embodiments of the invention can be used to gather and display real timeor near-real time usage data for real time audio programs andInternet-based programs and channels.

Systems described herein gather real time or near-real time usage datafor real time media, and then publish a portion of that information,reflecting the most popular media at the present time. The collectedusage information is published to users via an interactive interfacewhile the media is still available. Systems described herein forcollecting and publishing media usage data provide a flexible,configurable, scalable method for capturing media usage events, andtransmitting the media usage data in a controlled manner to a databaserepository such as a data warehouse, head-end based repository, or thelike, and subsequently providing an indication of the most popular(i.e., most used or most viewed) channels and programs. The system cantarget specific users/viewers/households to obtain viewing and mediaconsumption data including Internet and STB usage, and can anonymize andencrypt the viewing and media consumption data.

In an embodiment, the system can collect media usage data from andpublish media usage data to sample sets of users. The sampleconfiguration can be chosen randomly or according to pre-selectedcriteria. For example, the media usage data can be collected based inpart upon sales, demographic and sociographic characteristics of users,while maintaining the anonymity of the households viewing video channelsand programs. Accordingly, the system provides very granular dataregarding media consumption, including television programs, channels,and Internet usage, while maintaining anonymity. The media consumptiondata is published to users for their use to select “most popular”content on a near real time basis.

Example systems and methods for collecting and analyzing media usagedata are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/849,630, filedon Aug. 3, 2010 entitled “System and Method for Set Top Viewing Data”,which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The methodsfor collecting and analyzing media usage data disclosed within the '630application can be integrated into the collection mechanisms of thepresent invention and integrated across data received for many set topboxes.

The exemplary system embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 are depictedwith respect to a STB and/or television in connection with data within aservice-provider managed network. Embodiments also can be applied tovarious platforms including personal computers, laptop computers, mobiletelephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablets (e.g., AppleIPAD™), and other mobile devices, Internet Protocol (IP)-basedtelephones using voice over IP (VOIP), digital video recorders (DVRs),remote-storage DVRs, video on-demand (VOD) systems, interactive TVsystems, and other systems capable of receiving and displaying videoand/or utilizing a network connection such as the Internet. Referencesto a STB and a display device should therefore be interpreted to includethese and other similar systems involving display of video, mediaconsumption, and viewer input.

FIG. 1 provides a block diagram of an architecture of a system 100 forcollecting and publishing real time or near-real time data indicatingchannels and programs that are currently receiving the most viewership.System 100 collects media usage data needed to present a snapshot of the“most popular” channels and programs at the present time of day based onan aggregation of community tuning at any given point in time. System100 then collects viewing/tuning data needed to auto update the displayof “most popular” channels and programs continuously thereafter duringthe course of a viewing session.

According to an embodiment, system 100 displays a UI (shown in FIGS.4-9) on display device 114. In embodiments, display device 114 may beone or more of a television, a network-enabled television, a monitor,the display of a tablet device, the display of a laptop, the display ofa mobile phone, or the display of a personal computer. The UI includes aguide (See Guide 422 in FIGS. 4-8) comprising a most popular POD menu,which displays an itemization indicator presented in the format of “x ofy” (e.g., 1 of 20). The priority display and itemization are equal inthat itemization shall act to indicate to the user the “most popular”program being an increment of “1”, in ascending order, with leastpopular being an increment of “20”.

In accordance with an embodiment, system 100 collects media usage datafrom within a service-provider managed network. For example, system 100can be a video system configured to collect real time or near-real timemedia usage data within a video content provider's network. System 100includes STB 102. Exemplary STB 102 can include, without limitation, anInternet Protocol (IP)-based (i.e., IPTV) STB. Embodiments are notlimited to this exemplary STB, and it would be apparent to those skilledin the relevant art(s) that other STBs can be used in embodimentsdescribed herein, including personal computers. STB 102 is coupled todisplay device 114. Although only one STB 102 and display device 114 isdepicted in FIG. 1, as would be understood by one skilled in therelevant art(s) and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of additionalSTBs and display devices 114 can be used with system 100. Anetwork-connected device separate from STB 102, such as a personalcomputer, can be connected to the Internet 105, although notspecifically illustrated. Accordingly, the headend 101 can receive andmonitor media usage data associated with viewer interaction with theInternet 105 or video programming. STB 102 can also interact with mediausage data.

STB 102 is configured to interact with media including receiving videobroadcasts and data from Internet 105 from headend 101. STB 102 receivesoperational commands from a viewer, including tuning actions. A remotecontrol input device (not shown) may be used to control operation of STB102. In an alternative embodiment, some set-top boxes 102 may havecontrols 103 thereon not requiring the use of a remote control inputdevice. The remote control input device is configured with buttons tocontrol STB 102, including play, pause, stop, etc.

STB 102 can be configured to receive usage collection configurationinformation (UC Config 104). As illustrated, UC Config 104 is sent fromthe headend 101, although UC Config 104 can be sent from alternatesources, e.g., via the Internet 105, and UC Config 104 can be stored onand updated at STB 102. STB 102 can also be programmed to implementtools used for capturing viewing activity. STB 102 can receive updatesto re-program STB 102 and associated tools.

UC Config 104 can instruct STB 102 to selectively collect, store, andsend media usage data 106. UC Config 104 can instruct an agent (notshown) to poll STB 102 periodically. Programming information associatedwith video broadcasts received from headend 101 can be included in mediausage data 106. Programming information can include, for example, a nameof a broadcast program or promotional spot/advertisement, along withother identifying information. Media usage data 106 can also includeoperational commands from the viewer. Once collected, media usage data106 can be posted back to the agent. Media usage data 106 can beassociated with a household, and can include an anonymous trackingnumber corresponding to the household, specific equipment used, the dateand time in seconds, the channel and program tuned, and the duration inseconds of the viewing of that channel before the channel was changed orSTB 102 was powered off.

Media usage data 106 can be collected without specific programminginformation such as the name of programming and meta data such as actorsfeatured in the programming. Excluding such meta data can reduce thetotal amount of media usage data stored, transmitted, etc. The specificprogramming information can be recovered by combining media usage data106 with, for example, program content logs. The specific programminginformation is accurately correlated with the media usage data 106 basedon, for example, timestamps included in the media usage data 106 and thelogs. In this way, channel information from media usage data 106 can besubsequently correlated with programs. In an embodiment, system 100 canuse electronic program guide data to correlate channel information frommedia usage data 106 to programs currently airing and then publish alist of the most popular programs, rather than a list of the mostpopular channels.

In addition, for example, media usage data 106 can include interactionwith Internet 105. Headend 101 controls access to Internet 105, and cantherefore monitor viewer interaction over Internet 105 for storage withmedia usage data 106. Alternatively, STB 102 can store media usage data106 associated with viewer interaction with the Internet 105. It is alsocontemplated that specific Internet connected devices, separate from STB102, can report media usage data 106 to the headend 101, STB 102, datacollectors 108, etc. along with timestamp information that can be usedto correlate the Internet activity.

In one embodiment, information about household members can be collectedand stored, for example at the head end or other repository. Informationcan include, without limitation, name, address (including zip code), andage. Other demographic and/or geographic information can also becollected. Alternatively, a third party can provide data. Also,information such as brand/type/model of television, phone, computer,PDA, mobile device, etc. could also be collected. This information canthen be associated with media usage data. However, the data can be madeanonymous (e.g., removing specifically identifying information).

STB 102 can be instructed to collect media usage data 106 continuouslyover time. STB 102 can also be instructed to collect media usage data atintervals, or at specific times associated with a change in anyparameter including changes in media usage data, programming,promotional spots, advertisements, and overlays.

For example, video programming from headend 101 can include interactiveoverlays. Overlays can include promotional information such as a link toa website. Because system 100 includes monitoring of Internet 105, it ispossible to collect data including a viewer's interaction with Internet105. Internet interaction data can be stored along with media usage data106, and can also be maintained separately along with timestamps forcorrelating the data over time.

Each of head-end 101, STB 102, and viewing device 114 may be implementedon any type of computing device. Such computing device may include, butis not limited to, a personal computer, mobile device such as a mobilephone, a workstation, an embedded system, a game console, a television,or any other computing device. Further, a computing device may include,but is not limited to, a device having a processor and memory forexecuting and storing instructions. Software may include one or moreapplications and an operating system. Hardware may include, but is notlimited to, a processor, memory and graphical user interface display.The computing device may also have multiple processors and multipleshared or separate memory components. For example, the computing device(e.g., head-end 101) may be a clustered computing environment or serverfarm.

STB 102 can be instructed to collect media usage data 106 associatedwith events. For example, STB 102 can collect a sampling of media usagedata 106 continuously or periodically, e.g., every minute. As usedherein, in an embodiment, the term continuous is used to meansubstantially uninterrupted. As used herein, in accordance with anembodiment, the term periodically means more often than on thehalf-an-hour. Continuously and periodically collecting samplings ofmedia usage data 106 allows a more granular indication of the programsand channels recently tuned (i.e., viewed) by a sample audience.Additionally, STB 102 can collect media usage data 106 when STB 102receives an operational command from the viewer, or when Internetactivity is detected. STB 102 can also collect media usage data 106associated with a change in video broadcast programming. For example,STB 102 can collect first media usage data 106 upon receiving anoperational command to tune to a specific broadcast channel, secondmedia usage data 106 associated with a first commercial break on thetuned channel, third media usage data 106 associated with tuning to adifferent channel, fourth media usage data 106 associated with tuningback to the original channel, and fifth media usage data 106 associatedwith Internet activity. Events can be associated with a high priority,to ensure that collecting media usage data 106 is triggered by theoccurrence of a high priority event. Each data collection includes atimestamp, which can be used to correlate the data collection and alsoidentify an amount of time spent on an activity relative to the prior ornext data collection (including turning off STB 102).

STB 102 can be configured to include a dwelling time associated with aduration of an activity, e.g., a duration that STB 102 has been tuned toa channel or program. The dwelling time can be used as a factor indetermining a granularity associated with whether to collect media usagedata. For example, STB 102 can be configured to include a dwelling timeof 10 seconds, such that media usage data 106 is recorded only forevents equal to or greater than 10 seconds in duration. Accordingly, STB102 can exclude from the “most popular” listings media usage data 106collected during “channel surfing” sessions wherein a viewer rapidlytunes through a series of channels, spending less than the dwelling time(e.g., 10 seconds) viewing each channel. In this way, STB 102 canconserve resources by storing media usage data 106 that is more likelyto reflect attentive viewing and not merely channel surfing. However,STB 102 can record all events continuously, regardless of whether“channel surfing” data is included.

Media usage data 106 can also include information regarding the type ofequipment used by the viewer. For example, media usage data 106 canidentify the specific navigation device, platform, or STB equipment,such as a brand and model of STB 102, including whether STB 102 isdigital or IP-based. Although not specifically illustrated, system 100can include a personal computer or the like, configured to interact withthe Internet 105, receive video broadcast from headend 101, or interactwith a viewer for video control and display. Such devices can includecellular telephones, tablet computers, or other devices configured tointeract with a network or the Internet 105. Accordingly, the personalcomputer can collect, store, send, and otherwise interact with mediausage data 106 and Internet 105 as would STB 102. Headend 101 controlsthe data connection for Internet 105, and therefore can monitor theInternet activity for a household or individual viewer.

Such viewing and Internet activity can include activity initiated on aviewer's cellular telephone. For example, a cellular telephone caninteract with the Internet using a wireless Internet Protocol (IP)-basedconnection, e.g., IEEE 802.11 wireless local area network (WLAN)computer communication (“WIFI”). In addition, a household can include awireless cellular network extender that utilizes the Internet 105 andallows cellular telephones to connect via their native wireless cellularconnection. Embodiments can also include Internet Protocol (IP)-basedtelephones using voice over IP (VOIP). Accordingly, system 100 canmonitor many types of Internet activity at the household.

The system 100 can include very specific, individualized monitoring anddata collection. For example, viewers can be associated with a uniqueidentification (ID) or login. Examples of unique IDs include biometricssuch as fingerprint, retina scan, or the like, text-basedlogins/passwords, radio-frequency identification (RFID), cellulartelephone-based identification, or the like. STB 102 can include readersfor monitoring and accepting such individual, unique IDs from eachviewer. System 100 can also implement customizable icons or avatarsassociated with each unique ID, as well as the entire family orhousehold, to encourage viewers to login and utilize the unique IDs.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an architecture of a system 200including randomized upload of media usage data from within aservice-provider managed network according to an embodiment. System 200includes headend 201 configured to broadcast to STBs 102 and 205associated with households. For example, system 200 can involve a sampleof more than 50,000 STBs 102 and 205 from which media usage data can becollected. STBs 102 and 205 are in turn connected to respective displaydevices 114 in the associated households.

By using system 200, popularity of programs and rental assets can bedetermined by collecting media usage data 106 from all STBs 102 and 205,or from a sample of STBs 102 and 205. Example methods and systems forcollecting media usage data are described in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/849,630, filed on Aug. 3, 2010 entitled “System and Methodfor Set Top Viewing Data”.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an architecture of a system 300including collection and reporting of real time or near-real time mediausage data 306 from multiple STBs 102 within a service-provider managednetwork according to another embodiment. System 300 includes datacollection request system 301 that distributes a usage collection file304 to multiple STBs 102. In an embodiment, usage collection file 304includes data collection rules and parameters indicating how often tocollect media usage information from an STB 102.

Based on the usage collection file 304, STBs 102 selectively collectand/or store usage collection data events and Internet usage events(real time media usage data 306). Real time media usage data 306 iscollected by data collectors 308, and exported to data warehouse 310.Reporting module 312 can be in communication with data warehouse 310 toprovide various reports based on real time media usage data 306 storedin data warehouse 310. Although one reporting module 312 is shown,multiple reporting modules can be provided in communication with variouscomponents and data of system 300. For example, one or more reportingmodules 312 may be used to publish reports of “most popular” channelswith currently-available programs. Reporting modules 312 may also beused to publish “top picks” reports of currently-available pay per viewassets to STBs 102 for display on display devices 114.

In accordance with the embodiments described above, an example systemcan collect second-by-second media usage data from many selected sets ofhouseholds, identify the most popular channels, and subsequently presentthe most popular channel information in an interactive user interface.Real time media usage data 306 includes channel-tuning events, capturingthe date, time, channel and duration of the tuning event. This mediausage data enables the statistical calculation of real-time individualprogram share (i.e., relative popularity) and viewership to determinepopularity of programs within sample households.

Reporting Media Usage Data

Collected media usage data from a selection of households can beaggregated in reports and published to users as reports or lists of“most popular” programs and channels. The media usage data forcurrently-available pay per view assets can also be published to usersas a list of “top picks” of pay per view assets (i.e., titles, names ofsporting events). Reports can be provided by reporting modules 112 and312 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, respectively. Multiple reporting modulescan be provided, using the metrics and other data/attributes availablethroughout the exemplary systems of FIGS. 1-3.

Reports can be generated based on categories such as channel, householdcount, STB count, total household percentage, and total STB percentage.The media usage data provides additional options for creating reports,including a collection task sample (e.g., a sample of one percent oftotal), video tier, region (e.g., specific metro areas, broadcastcoverage areas), network, parent network, demographic attributes, zipcode, and number of programs to include in a list (e.g., the top 20).

In embodiments, reporting modules 112 and 312 aggregate like channelsbefore ranking their relative popularity. For example, the reportingmodules may combine the standard definition (SD) and high definition(HD) versions of a channel, for the purpose of ranking popularity ofprograms. In an embodiment, the reporting modules may then publish onlya single entry for the associated program in a UI displayed on displaydevice 114, and the UI may use information about the set-top box, or theuser, to tune the most appropriate version of the program, when a “mostpopular” program is selected by the user in the UI. For example, thesystems depicted in FIGS. 1-3 may automatically tune the associated SDchannel if an STB 102 is not capable of tuning high definition channels,while tuning the associated HD channel on a set-top box that is capableof tuning such channels.

A first example report, audience by channel (ranked by household count),can provide a list of channels in rank order of number of householdsviewing in a current or most recent period.

In another embodiment, reports are generated to indicate popularityaggregated across all users or set-top boxes participating in a videosystem, such as system 300 depicted in FIG. 3. In another embodiment,reports may segregate the users into multiple separate groups, such asby geographic region or by demographic clustering, and separatelyaggregate and publish popularity of content to users based solely onusage within their defined group.

According to another embodiment, reports are generated to indicatepopularity of content aggregated across all tiers of services, includingfor example, basic, extended basic or family, and premium tiers ofservice. However, this approach may tend to bias popularity rankings forthe most commonly available content, such as the over-the-air broadcaststations carried on the basic tier.

Accordingly, in another embodiment, reports can be generated to indicatepopularity segregated by tier, so that, for example, premium tiersubscribers see the popularity of programs among subscribers to the sameor a similar tier, providing a potentially “fairer” reflection of thepopularity of premium content that is less widely available among thegeneral population of users.

Reports correlating at least one media program not identical to apreviously aired media program measured in the media usage data can alsobe generated. For example, in an embodiment, a report correlating themedia usage data to currently airing or future scheduled media can begenerated so that a list including at least one media program notidentical to a previously aired media program measured in the mediausage data is generated. In another embodiment, a report based upon acorrelation of media usage data for previously-aired media isautomatically correlated to different media, wherein the different mediais currently airing or scheduled to be aired in the future. For example,this example report may correlate usage data for last week's episode ofa television series to the current week's episode, which is eithercurrently airing or has not yet aired. In an embodiment, correlationerrors are avoided by differentiating ‘duplicate’ media usage data. Forexample, a reporting module can be configured to ensure that correlationbetween programs of the same series, airing on the same channel are noterroneously correlated with syndicated reruns (which may artificiallyinflate their popularity rankings). Similarly, multiple airings indifferent, particular timeslots may be distinguished in the correlationprocess. Alternatively, or in addition, additional guide data detail maybe used to facilitate accurate correlation, for example, distinguishingpremiering episodes vs. non-syndicated repeats, so that only similarairings of the related previously aired media are correlated tocurrently airing or future scheduled media.

Another example report, audience by network—combined SD-HD (ranked byhousehold count), can be based on the first example report and canautomatically combine the high-definition (HD) and standard-definition(SD) version statistics for networks with HD versions. The third examplereport can be used, regardless of the split of viewership between HD andSD formats, to assess and compare/contrast networks as in the firstexample report. In this example report, HD and SD viewership for eachnetwork can be represented by a single combined entry indicating overall“popularity” of a given program offered in both SD and HD versions.

In still another embodiment, reports of “most popular” channels canweight different channels differently, to adjust for differences inavailability of the various channels. For example, the viewership ofeach channel may be normalized based on the subscribership to thatchannel, so that the popularity rankings reflect the percentage ofviewers with access to the channel who choose to watch it. For example,normalized rankings may be calculated based upon the percentage of thesubset of viewers with higher tier subscriptions, including access topremium content, who are currently tuned into this content. Such anapproach may have the beneficial effect of highlighting to lower tiersubscribers interesting and popular content that is available with ahigher tier subscription. This benefits the operator by promotingadditional tiers of service, and benefits subscribers and users byhelping them to identify and evaluate additional purchase options. In anembodiment, subscribership figures may be estimated or approximated. Forexample, subscribership to a given tier or channel may be anapproximation based on recent subscriber data, in view of projectedsubscribership trends.

According to another embodiment of the invention, reports ranking “mostpopular” channels can be filtered based upon media preference data. Forexample, media usage data 106 may include media preference dataindicating media preferences for users consuming currently airing media.Such media preference data can include, but is not limited to,preferences for media related to news, weather, sports, music, genres ofprograms (i.e., reality, drama, comedy, talk, et al.) and genres ofmotion pictures (i.e., documentaries, action/adventure, comedy, drama,western, science fiction, romance, horror, foreign, et al.). A reportindicating the relative popularity of one or more currently airingcontent on one or more media channels can be generated and displayed asa ranked list. In an embodiment, this ranked list can then be filteredbased upon the media preference data. Such filtering can producepersonalized “most popular” reports by computing the similarity betweenan individual user's media preferences and media items in the rankedlist. For example, a “most popular” list can be filtered so thatcurrently airing sporting events are removed for users whose mediapreferences indicate that they rarely or never watch live sports. Inanother embodiment, the items in the ranked list can be weighted basedupon the media preference data. For example, a “most popular” list canbe weighted so that currently airing sporting events are higher rankedor otherwise highlighted in “most popular” lists for users having mediapreferences for sports-related media. Conversely, currently airingchildren's programming might be reduced in rank for users who onlyrarely watch such programs. In an embodiment, this filtering orweighting uses media preference data received with media usage data 106from STBs 102 associated with particular users, so that reportsdisplayed via those STBs 102 are filtered based upon the users' personalmedia preference data. As a result of this filtering or weighting, oneor more channels or programs may be removed from, added to, orre-ordered within, the ranked list of “most popular” channels orprograms, for a specific user or group of users.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, a ranked list of“most popular” channels or programs may be adjusted to incorporate oneor more “featured” listings. For example, a list displayed in a UI ondisplay device 114 may include featured listings added regardless oftheir popularity, in order to promote programs that have not yetattained status among the most popular programs. Preferably, reportsidentify these featured listings as distinct from the most popular and“top picks” programs, for example by displaying them in a differentcolor on display device 114, or by marking/labeling them as featuredlistings. Alternatively, featured listings are not distinguished fromthose generated based on the aggregated media usage data 106. Featuredlistings may be assigned a weighting that, when combined with actualviewership, causes them to be ranked higher, or alternatively, they maybe assigned a ranking independent of their viewership. Conversely,listings may be weighted so that, when combined with actual viewershipdata, selected listings are caused to be ranked lower, or alternatively,selected listings may be eliminated from the rankings, altogether,regardless of viewership. Accordingly, a selected or featured listingmay be configured for inclusion, exclusion, prioritization orde-prioritization, in the ranked listing. Featured listings may beincorporated uniformly across all users, or they may be selected on auser-specific basis. For example, featured listings for a specific usermay be selected based on a user's particular media preferences,demographics, psychographics, or other user-specific profileinformation, from a larger set of listings intended for featuring.

Embodiments of the invention enable ranking of programs and channelsbased on share and viewership calculations. Real time or near-real timedisplays of ranked “most popular” programs and channels in aninteractive UI allow users to select media that is currently availablefrom a provider.

The embodiments described herein can determine details regardingbroadcasted programs, series, and channels. The details can includeanonymously determining who is watching what at the program level,within and across series and channels.

Embodiments can also enable presentation of “top picks” of mediacurrently available for viewing or streaming including, but not limitedto pay per view assets by examining current pay per view viewing ofactive viewer segments to identify the most viewed media contentcurrently airing. Regarding the current anonymous audience, it ispossible to determine what the current anonymous audience is watching,including any rentals the audience is tuned to. It is also possible toidentify other viewers having viewing patterns and rental historiessimilar to the current anonymous audience, including what the otherviewers are watching on a real time or near-real time basis.

Embodiments can facilitate the use of data collected and/or analyzed innear real time, for specifically targeting “most popular” and “toppicks” lists to the particular audience while using the STB. Forexample, media usage data from a STB and Internet usage can becollected, and based on the data, lists of the top 20 currently airingprograms and rental assets can be served to the STB in near real time.Rental assets may include on demand assets, such as VOD assets. Rankingof such rental assets can be based upon currently active on demandsessions, instead of historical data for past orders or VOD sessions.Accordingly, embodiments enable real time or near-real time feedback ofmedia consumption patterns occurring for media that is presentlyavailable, in order to assist users in deciding among media to consumein the present.

Example Graphical User Interface

FIGS. 4-9 depict a graphical user interface (GUI) for displayingcollected media consumption information. In an embodiment of theinvention, graphical user interface (GUI) described above with referenceto FIGS. 1-3 may include the exemplary interface illustrated in FIGS.4-9. FIGS. 4-9 are described with continued reference to the embodimentsillustrated in FIGS. 1-3. However, FIGS. 4-9 are not limited to thoseembodiments. Throughout FIGS. 4-9, displays are shown with varioushyperlinks, command regions, tabs, buttons, checkboxes, and data entryfields, which are used to initiate action, invoke routines, enter data,view data, or invoke other functionality. For brevity, only thedifferences occurring within the figures, as compared to previous orsubsequent ones of the figures, are described below.

FIGS. 4-9 illustrate an exemplary GUI for viewing and acting upon mediaconsumption information, such as the information collected by systems100, 200, and 300 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-3, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment, theGUI depicted in FIGS. 4-9 may be displayed on a display device 114, suchas a TV or monitor, coupled to STB 102 (See FIG. 1).

FIG. 4 illustrates a top-level display that a user may access at displaydevice 114 in order to access media via STB 102 (See FIG. 1). In theexample embodiments depicted in FIGS. 4-9, media consumption informationpertains to video content. In an embodiment, most popular POD menu 420presents a snapshot of the “most popular” programs at the present timeof day based on an aggregation of community tuning at any given point intime.

In the example embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, a user, using an inputdevice such as a remote control or controls 103 on STB 102, may selectGuide 422 icon to view a most popular POD menu 420 indicating the mostpopular channels and programs. In the example embodiment of FIG. 4, mostpopular POD menu 420 displays an itemization indicator 432 presented inthe format of “1 of 5”. The priority display and itemization are equalin that itemization acts to indicate to the user the “most popular”program being an increment of “1”, in ascending order, with leastpopular being an increment of “5”. The number of itemized or rankedprograms and channels is finite, but arbitrary. Possible values rangefrom one to the total number of channels available on the system. In anembodiment, the number of ranked programs or channels may be set by theservice provider. In an alternative embodiment, the user is enabled toconfigure the number of programs or channels to be ranked.

The most popular POD menu 420 displays two focusable tiers ofinformation as follows in Table 1.

Table 1—Information Tiers in Most Popular POD Menu

Tier Focusable Field Examples

-   1 Displays scrollable channel logos 436 associated with currently    airing programming. Upon selection with an input device, a user can    tune to a channel (broadcast, pay-per-view, or interactive)    corresponding to the indicated “most popular” program.-   2 The rightmost button is the “Go To Guide” button, which launches    the main program guide.

Most popular POD menu 420 also includes expanded description 432indicating title and channel information for the most popular programs.Up and down arrows 434 are visual indicators to a user that up and downarrows on an input device (not shown) will allow the user to scrollthrough channels. In embodiment, the input device can be, but is notlimited to a remote control input device, a keyboard, or touch screen.In the example interface depicted in FIG. 4, by selecting up and downarrows on an input device, a user can scroll through the most popularcurrently airing programs within tier 1 described in table 1 above. Forexample, pressing arrow up/down on a remote control device will scrollthrough the ranked channels/programs, and pressing a select button(e.g., “SEL”) on the remote will tune the selected channel/program. Anexpanded description 430 indicates an input (e.g., “SEL” or selectbutton) that can be used to tune the currently displayed most popularprogram or channel. Navigating to tier 2 and selecting Go To Guide 440causes the user to exit the PODs application altogether, and enter themain program guide.

As shown in FIG. 4, the GUI displays scrollable channel logos associatedwith the most popular currently-airing programming. For example, channellogos can be scrolled using up and down arrows of an input device withinmost popular POD menu 420.

By selecting Top Picks icon 410, a user can view the top picks POD menu520 shown in FIG. 5. Top picks POD menu 520 includes a “what's hot”listing 530 depicted in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, top picks POD menu520 displays an itemization indicator 532 presented in the format of “1of 5” to indicate the top pay per view assets. The priority display anditemization are equal in that itemization acts to indicate to the userthe “what's hot” rentals being an increment of “1”, in ascending order,with least popular being an increment of “5”. In the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 5, top picks POD menu 520 also includes “poster art”or “box art” images corresponding to the pay per view rental. Rentalsmay include on demand assets, such as VOD assets. Ranking of suchrentals can be based upon currently active on demand sessions, ratherthan data for past rentals, orders, or VOD sessions.

Up and down arrows 534 are visual indicators to a user that up and downarrows on an input device (not shown) will allow the user to scrollthrough a list of per view programs (including Video on Demand assets).By selecting up and down arrows on an input device, a user can scrollthrough the most-purchased, currently airing pay per view assets. In anembodiment, the assets available for purchase and ranked as “Top Picks”are pay per view assets such as, but not limited to, live broadcastssuch as concerts and sporting events. Expanded description 531 indicatesan input (e.g., “SEL” or select) that can be used to preview andsubsequently order the currently displayed top pick asset. In anembodiment, the currently displayed top pick asset can be ordered bynavigating to full menu 536. The real time and near-real time collectionof media usage data 106 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-3enables listing of currently-available assets in top picks POD menu 520.

As shown in FIG. 5, the GUI displays scrollable iconic images associatedwith the top pick rental assets. For example, a user can navigatebetween the what's hot images by using up and down arrows 534 on aremote control input device to scroll within top picks POD menu 520.

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary series of displays within the GUI as a usernavigates most popular POD menu 420. In the example embodiment depictedin FIG. 6, a user, using an input device, may scroll within the list ofPODs and select programs ranked as most popular and their associatedchannels. By using up and down arrows 624 on an input device such as,but not limited to, a remote control or controls 103 on STB 102, a usercan scroll within a list of PODs. For example, a user can scroll untilthe Guide icon 422 (i.e., Guide POD) is selected. At this point,pressing SEL (select button 626) or right arrow 628 activates/entersthat POD (and the POD display visually enlarges to indicate such,including displaying the expanded program description information forthe currently selected channel/program). At this point, up and downarrows 624 on the input device may be used to navigate among the list ofmost popular programs. Pressing SEL 626 will tune the currently selectedchannel/program and the right arrow 628 will navigate to the “Go ToGuide” button 440.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary GUI comprising information bar 730 for afull screen video overlaid by graphics in video window 728. In anembodiment, information bar 730 may display a subset of information fromthe expanded description 430 overlaid on tuned program shown inunderlying video 728. In an embodiment, underlying video 728 displays achannel that was tuned via the Guide when Guide icon 422 was selected.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary guide display/selection GUI comprisingprogram description 832, visual indicators of up and down arrows 834,and channel guide 836. In an embodiment, a user may navigate to desiredchannels and time slots by using up and down arrows 624 on an inputdevice. As the user navigates between channels, the program is shown inscaled video window 728 and a description of the program along withratings information is displayed in program description 832. In theexemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, navigation bar 830 displaysnavigation information including the date of programs being browsed inchannel guide 836, program browsing control button 838, and a returnbutton 840. Selection of return button 840 returns the guidedisplay/selection to the currently-tuned channel.

FIG. 9 depicts an expanded movie description 931 for a currently airingmovie within most popular POD menu 420. When a user navigates, using upand down arrows 624 of an input device, to a most popular program thatis a currently airing movie (as opposed to other types of programming),expanded movie description 931 is displayed. In the exemplary embodimentof FIG. 9, expanded movie description 931 includes rating and releaseyear information. In an embodiment, additional information such asactors and movie duration can be displayed in expanded movie description931.

Method Embodiments

FIG. 10 is a flowchart 1000 illustrating steps by which media usage datais collected and published, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

More particularly, flowchart 1000 illustrates the steps by which amethod for collecting and publishing real time or near-real time mediaconsumption information is performed, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 10 is described with continued reference to the embodimentsillustrated in FIGS. 1-9. However, FIG. 10 is not limited to thoseembodiments.

The method begins at step 1031 where parameters and rules defining apopulation of users to poll are received. In an embodiment, step 1031comprises receiving usage collection configuration information such asUC Config 104, usage collection rules 204, and/or usage collection file304. The parameters and rules received in this step may include, but arenot limited to, a random sample of STBs 102 to poll, geographiclocations to poll (i.e., metro areas, zip codes, etc.), and demographicprofiles to poll (i.e., households to poll based upon the demographicmakeup of users in the households). For example, in step 1031, rules andparameters can be received which define a population of users to poll.The population of users can be based upon a geographic area (i.e., usersin a certain country, region, postal code, and/or state/province) ordemographic grouping (i.e., users of a certain age range, income range,or gender). After the polling parameters and rules are received, controlis passed to step 1033.

In step 1033, media usage data from set top boxes (STBs) correspondingto the parameters and rules received in step 1031 is received. In thisstep, real time or near-real time media usage data 306 is received froma plurality of STBs 102. In accordance with an embodiment, step 1033comprises receiving media usage data 306 via an agent that polls STBsassociated with a defined set of users, wherein the set of users aredefined based upon the rules and parameters received in step 1031. In anembodiment of the invention, step 1033 comprises receiving selectivelycollected media usage data events from a subset of STBs 102 in aprovider network. For example, real time media usage data 306 may becollected by agents resident in data collectors 308. After the mediausage data is received, control is passed to step 1035.

In step 1035, an evaluation is made regarding whether any of the polledSTBs 102 are tuned to linear broadcast channels. In this step, it isdetermined if a polled STB 102 is being used to watch a programcurrently being broadcast on a linear broadcast channel, such as, butnot limited to, a television network affiliate. Step 1035 is processedon an STB-by-STB basis for each STB in a group of STBs associated with adefined set of users. If it is determined that one or more polled STBs102 are tuned to linear broadcast channels, control is passed to step1037. If it is determined that no polled STBs 102 are tuned to linearbroadcast channels, then control is passed to step 1039.

In step 1037, channels and their current programs that STBs 102 aretuned to are identified. In this step, the real time media usage data306 for linear broadcast channels that are being watched (i.e., tunedto) within the defined user population is determined. After the channelsand programs are identified, control is passed to step 1043 where theidentified channels and programs are posted to an agent along withassociated real time viewing information 306. After real time viewinginformation 306 for linear broadcast channels is posted to the agent,control is passed to step 1049.

In step 1039, an evaluation is made regarding whether any of the polledSTBs 102 are tuned to currently airing rental assets. For example, inthis step, it is determined if a polled STB 102 is being used to watch apay per view asset, such as, but not limited to, a live concert,sporting event, or other currently airing rental asset. If it isdetermined that one or more polled STBs 102 are tuned to currentlyairing rental assets, control is passed to step 1045. If it isdetermined that no polled STBs 102 are tuned to rental assets, thencontrol is passed back to step 1031 and steps 1031-1035 are repeated.

In step 1045, rental assets that STBs 102 are tuned to are identified.In this step, the real time media usage data 306 for rental assets thatare being watched (i.e., purchased and tuned to) within the defined userpopulation is determined. After the rental assets identified, control ispassed to step 1047 where the identified rental assets are posted to anagent along with associated real time viewing information 306. Afterreal time viewing information 306 for rental assets is posted to theagent, control is passed to step 1049. As noted above, rental assets,include, but are not limited to VOD assets. As will be understood bythose skilled in the relevant art(s), linear pay-per-view assets canalso be ranked by the method depicted in flowchart 1000.

In step 1049, information identified in steps 1037 and/or 1045 and realtime viewing information 306 is aggregated in order to determine themost popular channels, programs, and currently airing rental assets inthe defined user population. In an embodiment, this step can aggregatelike channels before ranking them. For example, step 1049 may combine SDand HD versions of a channel, for the purpose of ranking popularity ofprograms. In an embodiment, the method may then subsequently publish (instep 1051) only a single entry for the associated program, and may useinformation about capabilities of the STBs 102 for the defined set ofusers, to tune the most appropriate version (i.e., SD or HD) of theprogram, when selected by corresponding users. In this step, real timemedia usage data 306 is also correlated to programs currently availablefor consumption (i.e., currently airing). For example, step 1049 can useelectronic program guide data to correlate channels identified in step1037 to the programs currently airing on those channels. In this way,the most popular programs published in step 1051 can include lists ofthe most popular programs, rather than merely a list of the most popularchannels. In an embodiment, step 1049 comprises correlating the mediausage data to currently airing or future scheduled media. After the realtime viewing information 306 is aggregated and correlated, control ispassed to step 1051.

In step 1051, the relative popularity of programs, channels, andcurrently airing rental assets being viewed within the defined userpopulation are ranked and published as lists of “most popular” and “toppicks” media based upon the data aggregation and correlation performedin step 1049. In this step, according to an embodiment, the “mostpopular” channels and programs are published to users by presenting aninteractive GUI comprising a most popular POD menu 420 on display device114. In an embodiment, step 1051 comprises presenting the current mostpopular rental assets in top picks POD menu 520 within the GUI displayedon display device 114. As discussed above with reference to FIGS. 4-9,the most popular and top picks lists are displayed in an interactiveinterface so that a user, using an input device, can scroll through theranked channels, programs, and rental assets. As shown in FIGS. 5, 7,and 8, a user, using an input device, can also select, tune a rankedprogram or currently airing rental asset via the GUI. In an embodimentof the invention, step 1051 may report popularity of channels, programsand currently airing rental assets aggregated across all users or STBs102 within the defined population of users. In another embodiment, themethod may segregate the users into multiple separate groups, such as bygeographic region or by demographic clustering, and separately aggregateand report popularity of channels, programs and currently airing rentalassets to users based solely on usage within their defined group. Inaccordance with an embodiment, this step may report popularity ofchannels, programs and currently airing rental assets aggregated acrossall tiers of services offered by a provider, including for example,basic, extended basic or family, and premium tiers of service. However,as this embodiment may tend to bias popularity rankings for the mostcommonly available content, such as the over-the-air broadcast stationscarried on the basic tier, in an alternative embodiment, step 1051 mayreport popularity segregated by tier, so that, for example, premium tiersubscribers see the popularity of programs among subscribers to the sameor a similar tier, providing a potentially more “fair” reflection of thepopularity of premium content that is less widely available among thegeneral population of users.

In another embodiment, step 1051 can comprise weighing differentchannels differently, in order to adjust for differences in availabilityof the various channels. For example, the viewership of each channel maybe normalized based on the subscribership to that channel, so that thepopularity rankings reflect the percentage of viewers with access to thechannel who choose to watch it. This ranking approach may have thebeneficial effect of highlighting to lower tier subscribers interestingcontent that is available with a higher tier subscription. This approachbenefits the provider by promoting additional tiers of service, andbenefits the consumer by helping them to identify and evaluateadditional purchase options. Other embodiments may use a variety ofalternative bases for normalization. For example, an alternativeembodiment might normalize viewership of each channel to a baselinemeasure of its average or peak viewership, causing niche channels orprograms that are exhibiting a “breakout” behavior to be highlighted. Inan embodiment, average or peak viewership may be estimated orapproximated.

In yet another embodiment, if the media usage data was correlated tofuture scheduled media in step 1049, step 1051 comprises ranking andpublishing a guide to most popular programs in advance of their airing.By using the correlated usage data for previously-aired media obtainedin step 1049, it is possible in step 1051 to provide a ranking ofprograms for upcoming timeslots. In this way, an embodiment of themethod can provide a list of what is coming up in the future that ispopular, wherein popularity is based upon usage data for previouslyaired media.

After the channels, programs, and currently airing rental assets areranked and published, control is passed to step 1053 where the methodends.

Example Computer System Implementation

Various aspects of the present invention can be implemented by software,firmware, hardware, or a combination thereof. FIG. 11 illustrates anexample computer system 1100 in which the present invention, or portionsthereof, can be implemented as computer-readable code. For example, themethod illustrated by the flowchart 1000 of FIG. 10 can be implementedin system 1100. Systems 100, 200, and 300 of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3,respectively, can also be implemented in system 1100. Variousembodiments of the invention are described in terms of this examplecomputer system 1100. After reading this description, it will becomeapparent to a person skilled in the relevant art how to implement theinvention using other computer systems and/or computer architectures.

Computer system 1100 includes one or more processors, such as processor1104. Processor 1104 can be a special purpose or a general-purposeprocessor. Processor 1104 is connected to a communication infrastructure1106 (for example, a bus, or network).

Computer system 1100 also includes a main memory 1108, preferably randomaccess memory (RAM), and may also include a secondary memory 1110.Secondary memory 1110 may include, for example, a hard disk drive 1112,a removable storage drive 1114, flash memory, a memory stick, and/or anysimilar non-volatile storage mechanism. Removable storage drive 1114 maycomprise a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical diskdrive, a flash memory, or the like. The removable storage drive 1114reads from and/or writes to a removable storage unit 1118 in awell-known manner. Removable storage unit 1118 may comprise a floppydisk, magnetic tape, optical disk, etc. which is read by and written toby removable storage drive 1114. As will be appreciated by personsskilled in the relevant art(s), removable storage unit 1118 includes anon-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereincomputer software and/or data.

In alternative implementations, secondary memory 1110 may include othersimilar means for allowing computer programs or other instructions to beloaded into computer system 1100. Such means may include, for example, aremovable storage unit 1122 and an interface 1120. Examples of suchmeans may include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such asthat found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as anEPROM, or PROM) and associated socket, and other removable storage units1122 and interfaces 1120 which allow software and data to be transferredfrom the removable storage unit 1122 to computer system 1100.

Computer system 1100 may also include a communications interface 1124.Communications interface 1124 allows software and data to be transferredbetween computer system 1100 and external devices. Communicationsinterface 1124 may include a modem, a network interface (such as anEthernet card), a communications port, a PCMCIA slot and card, or thelike. Software and data transferred via communications interface 1124are in the form of signals, which may be electronic, electromagnetic,optical, or other signals capable of being received by communicationsinterface 1124. These signals are provided to communications interface1124 via a communications path 1126. Communications path 1126 carriessignals and may be implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, aphone line, a cellular phone link, an RF link or other communicationschannels.

Computer system 1100 may additionally include computer display 1130.According to an embodiment, computer display 1130, in conjunction withdisplay interface 1102, can be used to display the interactive UIdepicted in FIGS. 4-9. Computer display 1130 may also be used to displaya UI and media on display device 114.

In this document, the terms “computer program medium,” “non-transitorycomputer readable medium,” and “computer usable medium” are used togenerally refer to media such as removable storage unit 1118, removablestorage unit 1122, and a hard disk installed in hard disk drive 1112.Signals carried over communications path 1126 can also embody the logicdescribed herein. Computer program medium and computer usable medium canalso refer to memories, such as main memory 1108 and secondary memory1110, which can be memory semiconductors (e.g. DRAMs, etc.). Thesecomputer program products are means for providing software to computersystem 1100.

Computer programs (also called computer control logic) are stored inmain memory 1108 and/or secondary memory 1110. Computer programs mayalso be received via communications interface 1124. Such computerprograms, when executed, enable computer system 1100 to implement thepresent invention as discussed herein. In particular, the computerprograms, when executed, enable processor 1104 to implement theprocesses of the present invention, such as the steps in the methodsillustrated by flowchart 1000 of FIG. 10 and systems 100-300 of FIGS.1-3 discussed above. Accordingly, such computer programs representcontrollers of the computer system 1100. Where the invention isimplemented using software, the software may be stored in a computerprogram product and loaded into computer system 1100 using removablestorage drive 1114, interface 1120, hard drive 1112, or communicationsinterface 1124.

The invention is also directed to computer program products comprisingsoftware stored on any computer useable medium. Such software, whenexecuted in one or more data processing device, causes a data processingdevice(s) to operate as described herein. Embodiments of the inventionemploy any computer useable or readable medium, known now or in thefuture. Examples of computer useable mediums include, but are notlimited to, primary storage devices (e.g., any type of random accessmemory), secondary storage devices (e.g., hard drives, floppy disks, CDROMS, ZIP disks, tapes, magnetic storage devices, optical storagedevices, MEMS, nanotechnological storage device, etc.), andcommunication mediums (e.g., wired and wireless communications networks,local area networks, wide area networks, intranets, etc.).

CONCLUSION

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample only, and not limitation. It will be understood by those skilledin the relevant art(s) that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined in the appended claims. It should be understoodthat the invention is not limited to these examples. The invention isapplicable to any elements operating as described herein. Accordingly,the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited byany of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be definedonly in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for presenting media usage data, in amedia delivery system, comprising: receiving, at a server, media usagedata for currently airing media while the media is being aired;creating, at a server, an ordered list of a plurality of media channelsor a plurality of media programs for presentation, wherein creating theordered list further comprises: normalizing the usage data for each ofthe plurality of media channels or the plurality of media programs basedat least in part on an average or peak viewership of the media channelor media program; and ranking the relative popularity of the pluralityof media channels or the plurality of media programs based on thenormalized usage data; and presenting, in an interactive graphical userinterface, the ordered list while the media is being aired.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein creating the ordered list further comprisesranking the popularity of the plurality of media channels or theplurality of media programs based on total viewership.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein creating the ordered list further comprises:aggregating like media channels or like media programs; and ranking thepopularity of the like media channels or like media programs based ontheir total aggregate viewership.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein themedia usage data includes geographic data identifying at least twogeographic areas where the currently airing media is being consumed, andwherein the ordering of the list comprises ranking the relativepopularity of the plurality of media channels or the plurality of mediaprograms within one or more geographic areas in the geographic data. 5.The method of claim 1, wherein the media usage data includes demographicdata identifying demographic information for users consuming thecurrently airing media, and wherein the ordering of the list comprisesranking the relative popularity of the plurality of media channels orthe plurality of media programs according to one or more characteristicsin the demographic data.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the orderingof the list further comprises: combining the media usage data withadditional media data, and wherein the combining further comprises:ranking the relative popularity of the plurality of media channels orthe plurality of media programs to produce a ranked list; and creatingthe ordered list from the ranked list and at least one of: removing atleast one media channel or media program relative to the ranked list,reordering at least one media channel or media program relative to theranked list, or adding at least one media channel or media programrelative to the ranked list, based upon the additional media data. 7.The method of claim 6, wherein the additional media data comprises mediapreference data indicating media preferences for one or more users. 8.The method of claim 6, wherein the additional media data comprises oneor more media channels or media programs to be at least one of included,excluded, prioritized, or deprioritized, for promotional purposes. 9.The method of claim 1, wherein the presenting further comprisesdisplaying the ordered list on a navigation device.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, further comprising: accepting a user selection of a mediachannel of the plurality of media channels or a media program of theplurality of media programs from the ordered list; and providing theselected media channel or media program from the ordered list to thenavigation device.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the ordering ofthe list further comprises aggregating standard definition and highdefinition versions of a channel, and wherein the presenting furthercomprises: presenting a single entry for aggregated standard definitionand high definition versions of a channel, wherein information about thenavigation device is used to provide the most appropriate version of thechannel when the entry is selected by a user.
 12. The method of claim 1,wherein the presenting comprises: correlating the plurality of mediachannels or plurality of media programs to channels displayed in aprogram guide; and sorting at least a subset of channels displayedwithin the program guide based upon the ordered list.
 13. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the presenting comprises: correlating the plurality ofmedia channels or the plurality of media programs to channels displayedby a navigation device; and modifying the channel-changing order for atleast a subset of channels displayed by the navigation device, basedupon the ordered list.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein thenavigation device comprises a television.
 15. The method of claim 13,wherein the navigation device comprises a set top box.
 16. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the set top box is one or more of a cable set top box,a satellite set top box, or an IPTV set top box.
 17. The method of claim1, wherein the currently airing media comprises at least 100 mediachannels or media programs.
 18. A method for presenting media usagedata, in a media delivery system, comprising: receiving, at a server,media usage data for previously aired media; correlating, at a server,the media usage data to currently airing or future scheduled media;creating, at a server, an ordered list of a plurality of media channelsor a plurality of media programs for presentation, wherein creating theordered list further comprises: normalizing the usage data for each ofthe plurality of media channels or the plurality of media programs basedat least in part on an average or peak viewership of the media channelor media program; and ranking the relative popularity of the pluralityof media channels or the plurality of media programs based on thenormalized usage data; and presenting the ordered list in an interactivegraphical user interface.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein theordering of the list further comprises ranking the popularity of theplurality of media channels or the plurality of media programs based ontotal viewership.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the media usagedata includes geographic data identifying at least two geographic areaswhere the previously aired media was consumed, and wherein the orderingof the list comprises ranking the relative popularity of the pluralityof media channels or the plurality of media programs within one or moregeographic areas in the geographic data.
 21. The method of claim 18,wherein the media usage data includes demographic data identifyingdemographic information for users consuming the previously aired media,and wherein the ordering of the list comprises ranking the relativepopularity of the plurality of media channels or the plurality of mediaprograms according to one or more characteristics in the demographicdata.
 22. The method of claim 18, wherein the ordering of the listfurther comprises combining the media usage data with additional mediadata, and wherein the combining comprises: ranking the relativepopularity of the plurality of media channels or the plurality of mediaprograms to produce a ranked list; and creating the ordered list fromthe ranked list and at least one of: removing at least one media channelor media program relative to the ranked list, reordering at least onemedia channel or media program relative to the ranked list, or adding atleast one media channel or media program relative to the ranked list,based upon the additional media data.
 23. The method of claim 18,wherein the additional media data comprises media preference dataindicating media preferences for one or more users.
 24. The method ofclaim 18, wherein the additional media data comprises one or more mediachannels or media programs to be at least one of included, excluded,prioritized, or deprioritized, for promotional purposes.
 25. The methodof claim 18, wherein the presenting further comprises displaying theordered list on a navigation device.
 26. The method of claim 25, furthercomprising: accepting a user selection of a media channel of theplurality of media channels or a media program of the plurality of mediaprograms from the ordered list; and providing the selected media channelor media program from the ordered list to the navigation device.
 27. Themethod of claim 18, wherein the presenting comprises: correlating theplurality of media channels or plurality of media programs to channelsdisplayed in a program guide; and sorting at least a subset of channelsdisplayed within the program guide based upon the ordered list.
 28. Themethod of claim 18, wherein the presenting comprises: correlating theplurality of media channels or the plurality of media programs tochannels displayed by the navigation device; and modifying thechannel-changing order for at least a subset of channels displayed bythe navigation device, based upon the ordered list.
 29. The method ofclaim 28, wherein the navigation device comprises a television.
 30. Themethod of claim 28, wherein the navigation device comprises a set topbox.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the set top box is one or moreof a cable set top box, a satellite set top box or an IPTV set top box.32. A system for presenting media usage data, comprising: one or morecomputing devices; an agent, implemented on the one or more computingdevices, configured to receive media usage data for currently airingmedia while the media is being aired; a reporting module, implemented onthe one or more computing devices, configured to create an ordered listof a plurality of media channels or a plurality of media programs forpresentation, based at least in part on the media usage data, whereinthe reporting module is further configured to: normalize the usage datafor each of the plurality of media channels or the plurality of mediaprograms based at least in part on an average or peak viewership of themedia channel or media program; and rank the relative popularity of theplurality of media channels or the plurality of media programs based onthe normalized usage data; and a display device configured to present,in an interactive graphical user interface, the ordered list while themedia is being aired.
 33. The system of claim 32, wherein the reportingmodule is further configured to: combine the media usage data withadditional media data; and rank the relative popularity of the pluralityof media channels or the plurality of media programs to produce a rankedlist; and creating the ordered list from the ranked list and at leastone of: removing at least one media channel or media program relative tothe ranked list, reordering at least one media channel or media programrelative to the ranked list, or adding at least one media channel ormedia program relative to the ranked list, based upon the additionalmedia data.
 34. The system of claim 32, wherein the reporting module isfurther configured to rank the popularity of the plurality of mediachannels or the plurality of media programs based on total viewership.35. The system of claim 32, wherein the reporting module is furtherconfigured to: aggregate like media channels or like media programs; andrank the popularity of the like media channels or like media programsbased on their total aggregate viewership.
 36. The system of claim 32,wherein the media usage data includes geographic data identifying atleast two geographic areas where the currently airing media is beingconsumed, and wherein the reporting module is further configured to rankthe relative popularity of the plurality of media channels or theplurality of media programs within one or more geographic areas in thegeographic data.
 37. The system of claim 32, wherein the media usagedata includes demographic data identifying demographic information forusers consuming the currently airing media, and wherein the reportingmodule is further configured to rank the relative popularity of theplurality of media channels or the plurality of media programs accordingto one or more characteristics in the demographic data.
 38. The systemof claim 32, further comprising: A navigation device configured toaccept a user selection of a media channel of the plurality of mediachannels or a media program of the plurality of media programs from theordered list, wherein the display device is further configured todisplay the selected media channel or media program.
 39. The system ofclaim 38, wherein the reporting module is further configured toaggregate standard definition and high definition versions of a channeland wherein the display device is further configured to: present asingle entry for aggregated standard definition and high definitionversions of a channel; and use information about the navigation deviceto display the most appropriate version of the channel when the entry isselected by a user.
 40. The system of claim 32, wherein the reportingmodule is further configured to: correlate the plurality of mediachannels or plurality of media programs to channels displayed, by thedisplay device, in a program guide; and sort at least a subset ofchannels displayed within the program guide based upon the ordered list.41. The system of claim 32, wherein the currently airing media comprisesat least 100 media channels or media programs.
 42. A method forpresenting media usage data, in a media delivery system, comprising:receiving, at a server, media usage data for currently airing mediawhile the media is being aired; creating, at a server, an ordered listof a plurality of media channels or a plurality of media programs forpresentation, wherein creating the ordered list further comprisesranking the popularity of the plurality of media channels or theplurality of media programs among subscribers of each service tier;presenting, in an interactive graphical user interface, the ordered listwhile the media is being aired.